Scheme for Tribal Welfare launched in 10 States including Odisha

Wed, 29 Oct 2014 12:57:23 IST

New Delhi, Oct 29: In a significant move, the Centre launched Vanbandhu Kalyan Yojana (VKY) for the welfare of the tribals in 10 states including Odisha.

Addressing a meeting Union Tribal Welfare minister Jual Oram said that the scheme was launched on a pilot basis in one block each in Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Telangana, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan, Maharashtra and Gujarat where the literacy rate is very low.

Under this scheme, initially, the blocks having at least 33% of tribal population will be targeted. The central government will provide Rs 10 crore for each block for the development of various facilities for the tribals.

The scheme focuses on bridging infrastructure in human development indices between the Schedule Tribes and other social groups.

Since the Union ministry has taken up various initiatives for strengthening of Integrated Tribal Development Agencies (ITDAs), Integrated Development Project (IDP) and creation of many things required for the tribal people, the minister asked the state government to utilise the funds honestly to expedite the mechanism in the state for the tribal.